Macau stocks up for PBA return

MANILA, Philippines —  Macau is beefing up its roster but returning to play in the PBA Governors’ Cup will depend on an evaluation of the Black Knights’ performance in the Commissioner’s Cup by the PBA Board of Governors’.

“We hope to be back,” said Macau team representative Jacque Ruby. “May one-year contract kami with a condo where our players stay. I think some of our players underestimated the talent level and physicality ng PBA. There were many challenges during the conference. First was the 14-day visas of our Chinese players. That’s why in some games, we were down to nine players. Second was the change of coaches from Garrett Kelly to Marcus Elliott after three games. Then, we lost the game against Terrafirma with Damian (Chongqui) hurting his foot and leaving the arena to go to the hospital. If we had beaten Terrafirma, we would’ve won our last three games.”

Ruby said a shallow bench was a handicap and it’s now being addressed to get ready for the Governors’ Cup if Macau gets the PBA’s go-signal. “We want a stronger second unit and we’re looking to bring in a seven-footer from China,” he added. “Our core is steady with Jenning (Leung), Ray (Cao), Damian and Phoenix (Shackelford). For the Commissioner’s Cup, our import would’ve been Sam DeGuara but he was signed by the Taiwan league. We considered Oscar Lopez but he’s 6-4. So we brought in Tony (Mitchell), a former NBA player who lives in the Philippines.” For the Governors’ Cup, Ruby said Macau will be reinforced by Will Douglas, a 6-5 swingman from Prairie View A&M University. Douglas, 27, has played in Hungary, China, Puerto Rico and Canada.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said the Board will meet today and an item on the agenda is Macau’s possible participation in the Governors’ Cup.